Three hours of chaos as cops, protesters lock horns again

CHENNAI: Arriving at Spencer Plaza on Anna Salai at 4.30pm on Tuesday, I heard the leader of a Muslim organisation reading out resolutions condemning the United States and US President Barack Obama over the controversial film 'Innocence of Muslims'.
Policemen had stopped the protesters near the mall after they attempted to march from the site selected by police near Dams Road and march to the US consulate.Joined by members of various Islamic outfits, the crowd had swelled to 10,000 seething agitators. Traffic had come to a standstill on the busy stretch. Some youngsters pelted stones at police around 4.45pm and policemen responded by lathicharging. The incensed mob soon started shouting slogans again. Police appeared wary, conscious that they were sitting on a powder keg, as youngsters burned the US flag and shouted 'Down Down America' and 'Islam Zindabad'. Demanding an apology for the lathicharge, protesters started throwing stones at the policemen again, leading to another lathicharge.
India Towheed Jamaath leader S M Bakkar announced that the protest was over and asked the crowd to disperse but few agitators responded. When protesters refused to disperse, he called upon them to go Makka Masjid for Asar, evening prayers.
Protesters then took police by surprise by suddenly dropping to their knees and offering prayers on the road. The crowd went silent as policemen and members of the public looked on in astonishment. The 10 minutes of prayer calmed the agitators. The agitators and police appeared to have reached a détante, but it did not last long. The protesters soon grew impatient and started throwing stones again. Policemen chased them till Makka Masjid where they dispersed. Anna Salai returned to normal and was bustling with vehicles again only at 6pm.